Electrically-illuminated house number



Feb. 17, 19,31.

E. w. s'roRMs ELECTRICALLY ILLUMINATED HOUSE NUMBER Filed Oct. 25. 1929 YI In lzgw'enor cw" Z Patented Feb. 17, 1931 PATENT OFFICE EARL W. STORMS, OF HUNTINGTON PARK, CALIFORNIA ELECTRICALLY-ILLUMINATED HOUSE NUMBER Application led. October 23, 1929.

The primary object of my invention is to provide an illuminated house number which will most effectively illuminate the number and which is thoroughly protected against wet and moisture. Among further objects are simplicity and inexpensive construction, accessibility for replacement or changing of parts, and reduction of refraction of light or blinding glare whereby the number or digit plates are most eifectively displayed.

To these ends my invention comprises the features of construction and combination of parts hereinafter described and claimed.

In the accompanying drawing forming part of this specification, Fig. 1 is a front elevation of my improved illuminated house number in readiness to be applied for use, part of the transparent front being broken away; Fig. 2 is a horizontal section taken on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1, and Fig. 3 is an end view partly in vertical section taken on the line 3 3 of Fig. 1, showing the invention applied in a wall structure for use.

In the drawing, A indicates a casing resembling a box like structure having a back 10, ends 11 and 12 and bottom and top 13 and 14 which may be formed out of thin metal or other suitable material to produce a shallow receptacle. On the Hoor of this receptacle is secured by soldering or other suitable means a digit plate holder B resembling a channel member which extends in a long sweeping curve inwardly from both ends of the receptacle towards the center in substantially a horizontal plane and is formed with a correspondingly curved channel groove 15 which is adapted to receive thev lower edges of the number plate digit C. The width of said channel is suicient so that the digit plates are supported in reclining position in a horizontal row and in concave order as shown. Above and in front of the digit plates and secured to the top of the receptacle is an electric lamp socket 1.6 which is adapted to receive and hold an electric lamp bulb 17, preferably although not necessarily of low voltage and adapted in turn to illuminate the digit plates C. Said illumination is made most effective by reclining and arranging the digit plates in horizontal concave formaseriai No. 401,672. i

tion as described in the receptacle. This effectiveness is due partly to reduction of refiiaction of light and elimination of blinding g are.

The receptacle A is adapted to be placed and built into therwall structure of a building, the drawing illustrating the device seated in an ordinary stucco wall, with its back 10 placed against the inner plaster and lath wall 18 and its outer edges resting 'flush with the outer surface of the stucco wall 19. The ends of the receptacle are placed between the usual struts 2O and plaster grounds 21, resembling angle members are secured by soldering or any other suitable means to the bottom and top 13 and 14; of the receptacle. The open front of the receptacle is adapted to be closed by the frame member D, containing the glass or other suitable transparent plate 22, said frame being removably secured by screws or bolts 23 to flanges or lips 24 which are provided on the ends 11 and 12 of the receptacle. By removing the front thus formed the lamp and digit members can be from time to time replaced orV adjusted in the receptacle. The digit plates can be replaced by a single number plate when desired within the sprit of my invention.

The structure in eifect is a light receptacle in which the digit plates are most effectively displayed either during the night by the lamp inside the receptacle or during the day by daylight from outside. In both instances due to said concave and reclining position the forward faces of the digit are most effectively exposed to the light emitted by the lamp or passing through the transparent front of the receptacle.

In accordance with the patent statutes, I have described the principles of operation of my invention together with the construction which I now consider to represent the best embodiment thereof but I desire to have it understood that the construction shown is only illustrative and that the invention can be carried out by other means and applied to uses other than those above set forth within the scope of the following claims. p

Having described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is z l. An illuminated house number, comprising, in combination, a light receptacle adapted to be seated in the wall of a building structure, reclining digit means in said receptacle arranged in a curve inwardly from the ends of said receptacle, means for holding said digit means in said position in said receptacle, illuminating means above and in advance of said digit means, and a removable transparent cover over the front of said receptacle.

2. An illuminated house number, comprising, in combination, a light receptacle adapted to be seated inthe wall of a building structure, a. channel member in the bottom back portion of said receptacle extending inwardly in substantially a horizontal plane be tween its ends7 digit plates adapted to be received and held in reclining position by said channel member and arranged in an arch andA supported at a slight inclination to a vertical plane in said receptacle and illuminating means in said receptacle above and in advance of said digit plates.

3. An illuminated house number, comprising, in combination, a light receptacle adapted to be seated in the wall of a building structure, a Channel member in the bottom back portion of said receptacle curved inwardly7 in substantially a horizontal plane between its ends, digit plates adapted to be received and held in reclining position by said channel member and grouped in concave arrangement in said receptacle and illuminating means in said receptacle above and in advance of said digit plates.

In witness whereof, I have signed my name to this specification.

` EARL lV. STORMS. 

